President Muhammadu Buhari has assured 1985 Golden Eaglets, who first won the U-17 World Cup, that his administration will fulfill the promises made 30 years ago during a reception held at Dodan Barracks with the players, in celebration of their outstanding victory. In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said he decided to fulfill the pledge, having been informed that a directive, which he gave to the state governments at the time had not been complied with.
“It is a pity that those promises were never fulfilled. It is unfortunate that our players, who did us proud on the world stage went unrewarded for their efforts, despite a presidential directive to the state administrators that they be honored in their home states.”
According to Shehu, of the various promises made to the players at the time, only the Federal Government fulfilled its own commitment by sponsoring the players on a trip to watch the 1986 World Cup, which took place in Mexico. The houses, scholarships and naming of streets after each player were supposed to have been catered for by the states.
The Presidential media aide noted that shortly after the commitment was given, General Muhammadu Buhari was replaced, and despite repeated representations made to succeeding governments by the players and their officials, the promises were left unfulfilled.
“I apologize for whatever embarrassment and disillusionment in your country these raised and then dashed hopes may have caused you. My government will do all within its power to remedy the situation”, he assured.